Neumann picked as favorite in Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
ASTON, Pa. – Neumann University was selected by the coaches in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) to capture the 2016-17 Men’s Basketball championship.
In the preseason coaches’ poll, in which coaches were permitted to vote for themselves, Neumann received 90 points and four first-place votes from the conference’s ten head coaches.
“We are honored to be recognized by the coaches of our conference,” said Neumann head coach
Jim Rullo. “I think being picked to win the conference honestly has more to do with last year’s performance than anything else.”
The Knights went 22-8 last season on their way to an appearance in the CSAC title game. The Knights eventually won the ECAC South Championship with an 89-71 win over Delaware County rival Swarthmore College.
In a tight race, Gwynedd Mercy University and Cabrini University were tied for second with 88 points. Gwynedd Mercy, which received four first-place votes, won the CSAC title over Neumann and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before falling in the second round. Cabrini received two first-place votes.
Fourth place went to Centenary University (62 points), followed by another tie, this time between Rosemont College and Cairn University for fifth place with 50 points.
Keystone College was seventh with 42 points, followed by Immaculata University (39), Marywood University (25) and Clarks Summit University (16).
The 2016-17 CSAC season opens on Tuesday, November 15.
“Going into my fourth year, I believe the CSAC from top to bottom is more balanced than in the previous three years,” Rullo added. “Our success here at Neumann will require an attention to detail and a willingness to continue to improve defensively and on the glass, while being more consistent on the offensive end of the floor. That being said, I think our group is ready for the challenges that await.”
2016-17 CSAC Preseason Coaches Poll
| School |
Points (first-place votes) |
2015-16 record (CSAC mark) |
| Neumann |
90 (4) |
22-8 (14-4) |
| Gwynedd Mercy |
88 (4) |
22-7 (17-1) |
| Cabrini |
88 (2) |
16-11 (13-5) |
| Centenary |
62 |
14-13 (10-8) |
| Cairn |
50 |
10-15 (6-12) |
| Rosemont |
50 |
13-14 (10-8) |
| Keystone |
42 |
6-19 (6-12) |
| Immaculata |
39 |
10-16 (9-9) |
| Marywood |
25 |
6-19 (2-16) |
| Clarks Summit |
16 |
3-22 (3-15) |